Some of these folks are executives: they’re included here because their Proposal Land role was a proposal team member.
“I had the distinct pleasure of working with Isabel on two very complex government-issued RFPs. Not only is she infused with humour in the face of such turgid documents, she is an excellent editor who can wade through the most complex texts and determine the essentials. There is no better person to write such a book. It will be well appreciated in Proposal Land, I have no doubt.”
Carolyne Van Der Meer, once-proposal-editor and current public relations specialist
“As a consultant for the past twenty years, I have worked on hundreds of proposals of all sizes. Many of my proposal responses over the years have been ten times as big as they should have been, and taken ten times the effort and frustration—because we didn’t understand the RFP as well as we should have and we didn’t keep it simple and answer what they wanted. Needless to say, those proposals never won.
Isabel is the ‘great simplifier’. She has an unparalleled ability to take very complex ideas and break them down into their essence. This skill is extremely useful while understanding an RFP and in responding to it. She has taken her ability to dissect and simplify, and given us an easy-to-use and enormously helpful guide to proposal responses. This book will be dog-eared and within reach for any future proposal work: to save myself time, anguish, and effort, and to increase my win rate. This will also be on my ‘highly recommended’ list for all my clients who are starting their own businesses.”
Melissa Creede, P.Eng, CPCC; Career, Leadership, and Executive Coach and Trainer; Sapis Insight
In “Proposals: Getting Started, Getting Better”, Isabel Gibson has created an invaluable guide. The key to Isabel’s impact and success in developing proposals has been the thinking behind the words, logic and processes, and her brilliant sense of humour. This guide delivers structure, clarity and simplicity. Frankly, in this business of responding to an RFP or a proposal request, its true value is helping to transform the complex into something reasoned, smooth and understandable. Being competent in responding to requests for proposals can be a “Bet your Company” exercise. Without hesitation, I endorse Isabel’s work and this important guide.
Paul Trayner, President, SALT Consulting Group Inc.
“After retiring from the Canadian Forces, for a number of years I had the pleasure of participating in the preparation of numerous proposals under Isabel’s guidance. One is never too old or too wise to learn from a pro. This book is an easy read! For the inexperienced it provides an invaluable “leg up”; for the experienced, it provides a memorable set of tips for upping their game and training new staff.”
Michael T. Saker, Rear Admiral (ret’d), former Chief of Engineering and Maintenance, Canadian NDHQ
“Isabel’s ‘Proposals: Getting Started, Getting Better’ is a must-have for every proposal coordinator’s desk. A proposal coordinator’s most important lessons are in this book, from understanding the RFP and just answering the question (ATQ), to managing the process and knowing one’s limits. Having worked in Proposal Land, I am certain I would have fared better and saved myself hours of frustration and confusion if I had had this book within easy reach.
I had the pleasure of attending one of Isabel’s proposal workshops and watching her masterfully articulate the process challenges I unknowingly struggled with and against. I am relieved and grateful she has decided to write a book that captures all of the lessons I tried to frantically copy down. Her book brings structure to a seemingly chaotic process, and her wit and voice of experience lend much-needed humour and sympathy to the sometimes hard reality of living in Proposal Land. I may need two copies–one for me and one to lend out.”
Christina Mate, Proposal Writer and Editor
“Isabel manages to excel at both assessing the big picture and attending to minute details. Her excellent communication skills and her ability to discern how best to present a topic to ensure that others understand it allow her to convey a complex or subtle idea in just the right way for any particular audience. While most proposal team members attended to only their own discrete contribution, Isabel tracked the entire project to ensure that the final product was a coherent document that was as well written and compelling, in both content and style, as a proposal can be. Tight deadlines and the tensions inherent in proposal work test most team members’ resolve; even under extreme pressure, Isabel could keep her sights on the goal and relieve the general mood with her wit and creativity, which seemed never to flag. Isabel is the ideal mentor, manager, and team player.”
Jackie Doyle, Proposal Editor and Corporate Communicator
“As someone new to Proposal Land nearly 10 years ago, I was one of the lucky ones who had the pleasure of learning directly from Isabel when she consulted on various proposals during my time as a consultant and Business Development Manager for SNC-Lavalin.
Isabel’s book ‘Proposal Land’ is a brilliant articulation of everything you ever needed to know about proposals – she is sharing her talents and years of experience…with relevant and funny stories that bring her explanations to life and will appeal to and help people at all levels and in all sectors.
Whether you’re a ‘newbie’ or ‘old-hat’, Proposal Land delivers ‘A-HA’ moments and invaluable insights into how to plan for, prepare and deliver proposals that will bring you business. Buying and perusing this book will be THE best investment you will make in your success. It’s remarkable (though not surprising) that Isabel has packed both ‘Proposal 101’ and a ‘Proposal MBA’ into this organized, easy-to-read-and-use book. Well done, Isabel! I wish your book had been available all those times I googled ‘writing great proposals’! It will definitely sit on my reference shelf for all future business pursuits.”
Carla Dawes – Photographer, Entrepreneur, former Business Development Manager & Proposal Consultant
“Isabel Gibson is the Proposal Queen – that says it all.”
Mara Gulens, Editor, Strategic Communications, Branding, and Public Affairs